Orioles Official Site · 32m
How Gunnar could become an MVP candidate once again
In 2024, Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson appeared in the top five of all 30 ballots for the American League Most Valuable Player Award, finishing fourth in the voting behind only Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr. and Juan Soto.
Fast-forward two years, and Henderson’s name was nowhere to be found when 2026 MVP winners were announced Thursday night. That wasn’t a surprise, either: He posted a .225/.309/.403 slash line in ’26, almost 200 OPS points below his career-high mark in ’24. After two straight years of declining offensive production, the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year isn’t a bad player by any means, but he’s nowhere near the superstar level he once reached.